1813
Chapter 28
Winter of Hardship“The Grande Armée has suffered enormous losses in the retreat.” The Admiral paused to survey the assembled officers. “Oudinot has withdrawn from Saint Petersburg and Riga, leaving his dead unburied. Gentlemen, we have only limited information at present, but there are reports that the road from Moscow resembles a charnel house. The dead do not merely line it; in some places they block it.” The Admiral sat down and signalled the Flag Captain.
“The winter is severe, gentlemen,” Captain Dumanesq said as he rose to his feet. He smiled. “But I have little need to tell you this.” His audience laughed and he waited a moment for them to settle. “It is far, far worse inland. In Riga, there is also an outbreak of typhus amongst the populace, and there is good rea
